delta widens reach to latin america and the caribbean

Delta is determined to become the best U.S. carrier serving Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2005, they’ve grown their presence in the region by nearly 50 percent. Delta now has six strategic hubs connecting Latin America to the rest of the world, including New York-JFK, Atlanta, and Detroit.

Today, Delta operates more than 1,000 weekly flights to 49 destinations in 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has added six new destinations and 38 new city pairs in the past five years.

Delta’s commitment to grow in the region is evidenced by its Caribbean expansion in 2012, adding new frequencies from New
York-JFK to Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic; and to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It also expanded some routes from seasonal to year-round, and increased the daily number of direct flights to several popular destinations. It will continue expanding services this winter, beginning daily nonstop service between New York-JFK and Aruba, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana and Saturday service between JFK and St. Maarten. And on April 8, 2013, it starts daily nonstop service between New York-LGA and Bermuda.

Delta expanded services to Latin destinations as well, making flights to all of Delta’s Central American destinations daily service. And soon it will add frequencies between Detroit and Mexico City.

“Delta’s goal is to be the best U.S. airline in the Latin America and Caribbean region,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. “We have made considerable investments, and we’re committed to providing the best service and reach throughout the region.”

New and modern airport facilities

Delta’s growth strategy for the region is part of a $3 billion investment the company is making to improve its services, products, airport facilities and technology with the single goal of enhancing the overall customer satisfaction in the air and on the ground. The crown jewel of that
investment is a $1.2 billion expansion at New York-JFK Terminal 4. Opening next May, the expanded main terminal will feature a much larger customs and immigration area, easier flow between the domestic and international gates, and a new Delta Sky Club® overlooking the JFK
runways from its fourth floor location. Twelve new security checkpoint lanes will shorten processing time, and moving the retail atrium to post security will make it easier for fliers to browse at retail shops. Terminal 4 will cater to Delta and SkyTeam’s elite “Sky Priority” customers, offering 14 check-in positions dedicated to its Sky Priority customers.

And last year, Delta’s (and the world’s) largest hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, opened its new international terminal. This new facility serves as the gateway for customers traveling between Atlanta and international destinations. The new Concourse F includes 12 gates and eliminates the need for Atlanta-bound customers to recheck their baggage.

More exotic destinations within reach

Today’s travelers want access to the world’s most exotic destinations—places like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Cancun, the emerald Caribbean beaches, the ancient Mayan or Inca routes, and the Galapagos Islands. They are also searching for the best airline experience and seamless connections.

With its industry-leading global network, Delta offers service to an impressive list of desirable destinations and, together with its SkyTeam partners, can connect you anywhere you want to go in the world. In fact, Delta flies to 341 destinations in 61 countries on six continents.

Making the journey easier

Over the past few years, Delta has made significant investments in technology and is now leading the industry in providing the most effective and efficient access to travel tools. The award-winning Fly Delta app has been downloaded over five million times, and is available on iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows phones. Customers can use the app to access their electronic Boarding pass, receive travel alerts, change their seat assignment, view flight status, get airport information, check the weather, rebook a flight and store parking information. The Fly Delta app even lets you track your bag as it moves through the system—a development so advanced that it won the Avion Award for the best achievement in technology from the Airline Passenger Experience Association.

Ranked by PC World magazine as the “Top Tech Friendly Airline in the U.S.,” Delta operates the world’s largest Wi-Fi equipped aircraft fleet. International travelers will soon enjoy this convenient technology too. In 2013, Delta will begin offering Wi-Fi on its long-haul, international routes.

Full flat beds to the deep southno longer a dream

Last year Delta introduced full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite® class on flights between Sao Paulo and New York-JFK and Atlanta, and between Rio de Janeiro and Atlanta. In January 2013, full flat beds will be available between Sao Paulo and Detroit. Delta expects to expand this service to Santiago and Buenos Aires soon. All 39 BusinessElite seats on board Delta’s Boeing 767-400ER aircraft offer a 180-degrees fully-horizontal sleep experience with a full-sized pillow and duvet, along with direct aisle access and more privacy. These planes also offer in seat, on-demand video throughout the coach class cabin.

Delta plans to offer full flat beds seats in BusinessElite on every international wide-body aircraft.

Step up to Economy Comfort

Delta’s premium economy section—Economy Comfort—is now available on all two-class cabin flights worldwide. Economy Comfort offers three to four additional inches of legroom, up to 50 percent more recline and complimentary beer, wine and spirits on select international flights, as well as priority boarding. In 2012, Delta launched the product on domestic flights as well as the international product that was introduced the previous year.

“Our goal is to make sure premium customers are sitting in premium seats,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Delta already offers more First Class seats than any other U.S. airline, and by expanding Economy Comfort we’ll offer customers even more opportunities to select a premium seat.”

A better experience—even before departure

Customers seeking to relax while at the airport can find refuge in more than 50 Delta Sky Club lounges worldwide. As part of Delta’s investment in airport terminals and services, 14 clubs across the Delta system have been opened or renovated recently, with the Delta Sky Clubs at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal in Atlanta and at Terminal C at the New York’s LaGuardia Airport among the latest and most impressive additions.

Amenities offered at Delta Sky Clubs may include showers, complimentary cocktails, beer and wine, snacks, satellite television, as well as access to personalized flight assistance. And for those wishing to increase productivity during their travels, the clubs offer working zones providing complimentary Wi-Fi, cyber counters, desktop computers, wireless printers, charging stations, and meeting spaces.

Making the journey more enjoyable starts before taking off. That’s why SkyTeam members worked together to create the Sky Priority suite of services. Now, instead of waiting, Delta customers who’ve earned Gold Medallion status or above always go first—whether it’s through the airport, onto the plane, or out of baggage claim.

With Delta, those who are not Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion members can experience premium Sky Priority services immediately by booking a BusinessElite, First Class, or Business Class ticket, or by simply being a SkyTeam Elite Plus or Alaska Airlines MVP Gold member.

On-the-go support at your fingertips

Putting social media to work for customers seemed like a natural next step for Delta. So in 2010 Delta launched @DeltaAssist on Twitter.com to help customers with real-time travel issues before, during and after a flight. Using Twitter, knowledgeable agents answer questions pertaining to Delta’s policy and procedures, assist with lost baggage, rebook canceled flights, and help customers with general travel issues. And since Delta keeps customer service issues separate from news and information via the dedicated @DeltaAssist channel, its response times on Twitter are faster than any other carrier.

Now Spanish-speaking customers can access this essential help with @DeltaAssist_ES, while Portuguese-speaking customers need only tweet @DeltaAjuda, or check Delta’s Facebook page in Brazil for travel tips and destinations highlights at www.facebook.com/DeltaAirLinesBrasil.

Award-winning frequent flyer program

Delta offers Latin America and Caribbean travelers a variety of options to earn frequent flyer miles when flying on Delta and its SkyTeam member airlines. Nearing its third decade, SkyMiles® is one of the longest running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry, and has been recognized with industry accolades multiple times. SkyMiles have no expiration date, allowing members to continue earning and adding miles over time.

Key alliance partnerships

To better serve our customers, Delta has deepened its partnership with several strategic partners in Latin America, including Aeromexico, GOL, and Aerolineas Argentinas.

Aeromexico

Delta is proud to celebrate 25 years of service to Mexico. During this time, Mexico has established itself as one of the pillars for Delta’s growth in Latin America with up to 464 weekly nonstop flights between Mexico and the U.S. during peak season. Last year, Delta expanded its alliance with Aeromexico, linking Delta’s massive network with Mexico’s largest passenger network.

The new agreement will strengthen SkyTeam’s position as the only global alliance with a full-service, Mexico-based, international carrier and expands SkyTeam’s presence in the fast-growing Mexican and Latin American markets.

GOL

Through an alliance with GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes reached in 2011, Delta has further linked its expansive network with one of
Brazil’s largest and most innovative airlines. With this alliance, Delta now offers more access to interior Brazil points than any other U.S. airline, covering 99% of the demand points between Brazil and the U.S.

Delta can now offer service on 82 GOL flights between Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia and 22 popular Brazilian destinations. We currently offer 35 nonstop weekly flights between the United States and Brazil, including service between Atlanta and Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia; between New York-JFK and Sao Paulo; and between Detroit and Sao Paulo.

The airlines also have a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement that allows customers from Delta’s SkyMiles and GOL’s SMILES program to earn and redeem miles for flights on either carrier.

Aerolineas Argentinas

Delta and Aerolíneas Argentinas, the flag carrier of Argentina, have begun new reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyers that include accrual and redemption of miles on all flights within their mutual system. Aerolineas Argentinas became the second Latin American member of SkyTeam.

The airlines already offer reciprocal access to their lounges, including Delta’s award-winning Delta Sky Club lounges and Aerolineas ArgentinasSalon Condor at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires.

Working to become the best airline in Latin America and the Caribbean
With its extensive route network, improved services, state-of-the-art technology, facilities, products and partnerships, Delta’s vision for growing in Latin America and the Caribbean is squarely on target. The airline is well positioned and doggedly determined to become the best U.S. carrier in the region.